Friday, June 20, 2014

JAZZ, LATIN & FUNK FROM HENRI PIERRE NOEL - ONE MORE STEP

On moving to Canada from his original home of Haiti, pianist and singer/songwriter Henri-Pierre Noel brought with him much of the tropical island's influences. The "Kompa Funk" sounds of his homeland, along side contemporary North American jazz and disco, ran throughout Henri's 1979 album Piano, re-released by Wah Wah 45s in 2012, and now it's time for a second helping with the re-issue of 1980's dance floor friendly One More Step, both albums having been originally released on very limited private presses and since become holy grails of the back music scene.

Henri-Pierre Noel is an incredibly versatile musican who uses the piano in a very percussive and syncopated way, almost like a drum. This particular technique naturally brings disco and afro-funk elements into hisunique brand of dance floor fusion.

The man himself is still playing in his adopted home of Montreal today, and having been introduced to Wah Wah 45s label boss Dom Serviniby Canadian DJsKobal, Moonstarr and Andy Williams, who were allkeen fans of his early works, it became clear that Noel's finest moments needed to be re-released and re-discovered by a new generation.

Re-mastered from the original multi-track tapes by Kevin Moonstarr in Canada, and featuring seriously foot friendly cuts like "Afro-Funk" Groove, Funky Spider Dance and Latin Feeling,as well as firing female vocals and a plethora of percussion,Henri-Pierre Noel's sophomore LP is finally available to all on heavyweight vinyl, CD and digital formats, including full sleeve notesfrom Reveal Records boss, Peter Riden.


Tracklist: “Afro-Funk" Groove, Latin Feeling, Back Home... Sweet Home, Will Come a Day, Roller Skate Rhapsody, Funky Spider Dance. Joy to Me, A.M. - P.M., Step (Fan), Dialogue, Proud to Be, and Bluesy Mood.


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